The perils and promises of the International Zone

The International Zone (IZ) is one of the major focus areas of Auroville International. The walk through the Zone was a logical extension of the AVI meeting, so that the AVI members could see for themselves the new initiatives and become aware of the struggles and challenges facing the Zone.

One of the important challenges is encroachment by villagers. The IZ has an area of more than 30 hectares (74 acres), is still largely undeveloped, unused, and unfenced, and so is an open invitation to encroachment. This problem was brought into vivid relief by the construction of two huts on the day before the walk on paramboke land [village commons land] that lies within the IZ. The huts were built by some residents of Edayanachavady, which is located at a significant distance from site, with the support of its panchayat [village government], and is a provocative challenge to Auroville and to another village which is claiming the land as their paramboke. The authorities have been quickly and vigorously responding. But encroachment by villages within the IZ is a widespread and long-term problem.

As we walked the land, its vastness and lack of development became evident. Among our first encounters, set within a beautiful field surrounded with lovely trees, was a cement block, about one cubic foot in size, with the words Pavillon de France inscribed on the top, and dated 1993. A bit further, we stopped at a small tree, which we learned had once been run over by a tractor and then replanted, which marks the site of what is supposed to become the German Pavilion. These are vivid symbols of the stagnation that has troubled the IZ. These two countries, which have the most nationals in Auroville with the exception of India, have not managed to erect even a preliminary pavilion. We also visited a tree-house, a temporary and rudimentary structure, which at least is a living presence for a future African Pavilion. Four young men, from different African nations, addressed the group and spoke of their aspirations and challenges, including the lack of water. Later, we stopped at a grassy field where two shipping containers are being turned into residences for Krupa and Petra and Tom. They will help contribute to the work of the IZ and provide a presence on the land to help prevent further encroachment.

Why this stagnation, I wondered. B. suggested one factor was dysfunction within L’Avenir, Auroville’s Town Planning Department, and with town planning in general, which has stymied the efforts of various countries to begin projects within the zone. He cited as one example the case of the American Pavilion. After all the fundraising and collaborative efforts which went into constructing it, the planners decided it was in the wrong place and it was renamed International House. However, B added that in some cases L’Avenir has responded to initiatives and enabled useful projects to move forward, including his own recent efforts to dig a well which will provide badly needed water to several people and sites within the IZ. We visited the marker of this well, which he expects to be dug within a few weeks.

Further on, we stopped at the construction site of the impressive new Auroville Language Laboratory and Tomatis Therapy Centre, a welcome sign of vitality within the IZ. Mita explained something of its raison d’etre and its innovative construction techniques. The limestone structure, a traditional building material with durable and ecologically friendly qualities, has been further enhanced by the introduction of certain microorganisms which provide greater breathability and longevity. As someone remarked, “the walls are literally alive.” We visited one of the rooms which already had its attractive grey-gold coat of limestone plaster which requires no paint. The large building, which has many innovative building features, was centred around a central courtyard. Its ground floor will have classrooms for learning languages, and the upper floor will have rooms for research and application of the Tomatis method, a ground-breaking type of therapy which stimulates the language centres of the brain. The Tomatis method facilitates language learning, ostensibly cutting the time to learn roughly in half, and also is used to treat autism and various psychological disorders. The learning of languages is fundamental to maintaining both the diversity and unity of Auroville, and thus is appropriately situated in the IZ.

The next stop on our journey was in the courtyard between Bharat Nivas, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium and the upcoming Centre for Indian Culture. Aster Patel explained that Bharat Nivas, the Indian Pavilion, was started by the Mother in 1971, and represents one of only two existing pavilions within the IZ. (The other, situated nearby, is the Pavilion of Tibetan Culture). The building now under construction for the Centre for Indian Culture was another impressive two-storey structure. The building will house a large hall for talks and presentations, smaller multi-purpose rooms for workshops, offices and other uses, and a library focusing on Indian Culture. The shady courtyard between the buildings will serve as a convenient outdoor spillover space for all three of the surrounding buildings.

Finally, we came to the construction site of the Tamil Heritage Centre, where its massive underground foundation has just been laid. Long-term Aurovilian Meenakshi, social worker and Tamil poet and author, addressed the group about the project, which she predicted would take about three years to complete. The 3000 sq. meter building will house a conference hall, multipurpose hall, galleries, theatre, library and office. There will also be an outdoor amphitheatre, mandapam and lotus pond. It will be a centre for learning and communicating many aspects of Tamil culture, including its arts, philosophy, architecture and spirituality. Given that the Indian government is funding the three substantial projects underway in the IZ, it seems evident that one major factor holding back development of the national pavilions is the lack of funding and involvement from their national governments.

In the evening, there was a rededication ceremony of the IZ at the Canadian Inukshuk monument. The ceremony, beautifully conducted under the setting sun in front of the five-metre high granite structure shaped like a man, included a reading of the Mother’s words on the importance of the Zone in various languages, a performance on the “Russian bells” by Vera and later by representatives of the countries attending the function, and it was followed by a bonfire sharing circle.